“Charlie on the M.T.A.” is one of the most famous folk songs of all time. Performed by The Kingston Trio in 1959, the lyrics tell the story of a man stuck in the Boston underground system. Originally written to protest a fare increase, the song sold millions of copies. More relevant to this post, it introduced people all over the world to Scollay Square Station. Now, more than half a century later, Niles Larson takes us on a psychedelic journey to that location. His experimental film features multiple layers, reverse motion, and odd juxtapositions. You’ll find more about the movie and the song below.
About “Scollay Square Station”
Niles Larson writes: “Everything was done with my iPhone 12 Pro Max. I used the BeastCam App when it was on sale a few months ago. I mixed Moment lenses with the Moondog labs multi-lens filter. I used my Movi cinema robot along with handled footage. Editing in LumaFusion. Some of the ideas I had were a stretch to think inside of Luma but it got the job done.
You can keep up with the director on Facebook,on YouTube, and on his website North Quabbin Productions.
About the Song
In the late 1940s, Boston’s M.T.A. (Metropolitan Transit Authority) had instituted a new exit fee. Riders were unhappy. Sensing a big issue, a mayoral candidate Walter A. O’Brien commissioned a protest song. Two folk musicians—Jacqueline Steiner and Bess Lomax Haws—wrote the lyrics (given below). They set their words to a 19th century melody “The Ship that Never Returned” composed by Henry Clay Work. In the “M.T.A.” song, for lack of a nickel the protagonist is forced to stay on the train. The lines relevant to the “Scollay Square Station” film are: “Charlie’s wife goes down to the Scollay Square station, Every day at quarter past two. And through the open window, she hands Charlie a sandwich/As the train comes rumbling through.”
The Lyrics
In the course of our nation’s history
The people of Boston have rallied bravely
Whenever the rights of men have been threatened
Is attempting to levy a burdensome tax on the population
In the form of a subway fare increase
Citizens, hear me out, this could happen to you!
On a tragic and fateful day
He put ten cents in his pocket, kissed his wife and family
Went to ride on the MTAWell, did he ever return?
No he never returned and his fate is still unlearned
(What a pity)
He may ride forever ‘neath the streets of Boston
And he’s the man who never returned
And he changed for Jamaica Plain
When he got there the conductor told him, “One more nickel”
Charlie couldn’t get off of that train!
No he never returned and his fate is still unlearned
(Poor old Charlie)
He may ride forever ‘neath the streets of Boston
He’s the man who never returned
Crying, “What will become of me?
How can I afford to see my sister in Chelsea
Or my cousin in Roxbury?”But did he ever return?
No he never returned and his fate is still unlearned
(Shame and scandal)
He may ride forever ‘neath the streets of Boston
He’s the man who never returned
Every day at quarter past two
And through the open window she hands Charlie a sandwich
As the train comes rumbling through!
No he never returned and his fate is still unlearned
(He may ride forever)
He may ride forever ‘neath the streets of Boston
He’s the man who never returned
Pick it Davey
(Kinda hurts my fingers)
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Thanks for the Feature! Charlie on the MTA was one half of what influenced this piece of work. The other half was John Tavener’s The Whale. Much of the production took place of just riding back on fourth on all the T’s trains. At times I’d have shots that I loved and could envision what was happening for the edit. Most other times I had no idea what was happening. Massachusetts was still in “lock down” right up until I had to submit for the competition. Getting shots of riders was the hardest part. It wasn’t until my last 48hrs in production that I recognized how this film flowed. Hopefully you see a rider getting on, riding and then exiting the Boston T. Music at this moment was stressful. I originally edited to a piece I couldn’t get the rights to use. I had a composer set but my timeline went beyond the point of composing music to use. I had a friend that became what you hear right now. FUJIĄ̷͈̼͚̞̮́͜N̷͙̯͎̻͜͟͝͠ was very grateful and allowed me to use his music. At some point in the future my narration and music may be reworked. As of now enjoy the ride, it was a fun to create!